Alright, all 12 of you have been eagerly awaiting my Top 10 (okay okay, all 5 of you). I hate being so corny with the “Top 10″, but cut me some slack my degree is in finance. I originally had a whole diatribe about draft strategy, but I was distracted by the SpikeTV show “Repo Games” (strategery will come later). Has anyone seen this farce? There’s this dooshy looking guy who goes to peoples house to repo their car, but instead of just taking it he gives them the chance to win it back by answering 3 questions correctly. The best part though? The cars are complete crap. An ’01 Hyundai, a 2003 F-150, and a ’99 Ford Bronco. The lucky winners celebrated like they had just struck oil in their backyard…. I weep for humanity. Now onto my Top 10:

10. Jarome Iginla – RW (Cgy): You win Jarome. For year’s I’ve underestimated your value. Sure you’re getting up there in age and your plus/minus stinks, but 43 goals (3rd most in the NHL last year) forgives those sins. Now just go back to fighting every other game like you used to, and you’ll guarantee I don’t look like a jackass for ranking you in the Top 10…

9. Henrik Lundqvist – G (NYR): King Henrik is what you would call “reliable”. Over the last 5 seasons, the King has averaged 71 starts, 37 Wins, a 2.32GAA, .918SV%, and 7 Shutouts. And since he’s only 29 and last season was (arguably) the best one of his career I consider those numbers his floor. I almost never advocate a goalie in the Top 10, but gun to my schvontz Lundqvist is the guy I’m taking.

8. Evgeni Malkin – C/LW (Pit): Probably my most controversial ranking will be the malkin-tent. Prior to last season Geno was in the discussion for top fantasy player in the game (He, Ovechkin & Crosby were the Big 3). He stumbled a bit in 2009-10 (only playing in 67 games) but prior to that he’d only missed 4 games in 3 seasons. But now after a brutal ACL/MCL tear and his lazy disposition, the only way I draft him is if he falls at least this far..

7. Martin St. Louis – RW (TB): The little engine that can is a big reason why Stamkos is ranked so high on this list (Spoiler!). The Saint is consistently underrated in fantasy hockey as well as real hockey (probably because he is what scouts call a “late bloomer”). St. Louis reminds me of Paul Kariya 10 years ago, only better. He can skate and pass as well as anybody, but he also has a kind of deception with the puck that I can’t really explain – his passes seem to come from nowhere. At age 36 though he’s not without risk.

6. Sidney Crosby – C (Pit): Point-Per-Game Average in 2010-2011: 1.61; Next highest PPG Average? 1.27; Which means I desperately wanted to put him #1 on this list, but I just can’t trust guys who miss MONTHS at a time because of a concussion. Throw in the fact that he could still be experiencing those same concussion symptoms and the rest of the NHL hates him, I see a huge risk here. But the upside is the #1 player in fantasy by a wide margin, so the risk=reward. Stay tuned for updates his pre-draft ranking is going to fluctuate big time between now and the start of the season.

5. Henrik Sedin – C (Van): The assist side of the Regular Season Twins has had the same career path as his brother (because they’re twins, get it!). Despite the fact that he’ll be forever linked to Daniel, Henrik is plenty great on his own. Barring injury, his floor is top 2 in assists, top 10 in Power Play Points, and top 5 in plus/minus. You’ll take that and like it!

4. Alex Ovechkin – LW (Wsh): Ranking OV outside the Top 3 would have been unthinkable last year, but Bruce “Flabby Gabby” Boudreau decided that putting an emphasis on Defense would lead to a better showing in the playoffs… Yeah, not so much. Last season was probably his floor though so as long as he stays healthy, he’ll justify a Top 5 pick.

3. Corey Perry – RW (Ana): The reigning MVP and the biggest A-Hole in the game today (non Sean Avery division) is a stud and if you drafted him 1stoverall I wouldn’t blame you. Perry’s been one of the better players in the league for years now, but he’s never got recognition due to the fact that he A) Plays in Anaheim and B) Makes Claude Lemieux seem civil. He was the only player in the NHL last season to hit the magical 50 goal plateau, which he accomplished by scoring a crazy 25 Goals in his last 29 games. Want more? How about 104 Penalty Minutes. Yes, please, and thank you.

2. Daniel Sedin – LW (Van): The only player to top 100 total points last year and the goal scoring side of the Regular Season Twins has had a slow and steady climb to this spot over the years. It was tough for me to rank him here since most of my time spent watching him and his twin brother is during the playoffs, when they turn into the Olsen twins… Okay okay enough cheap shots. The Sedin line last year looked like men amongst boys. Varsity vs freshmen. Pros vs amateurs. Georgia Tech vs Cumberland… Okay maybe that one went too far but you get the point.

1. Steven Stamkos – C (TB): The reign of Crosby and Ovechkin is over! The owner of the sickest one timer in hockey, Stamkos knows how to take advantage of fellow lighting’er St. Louis. 50 goal seasons are quickly going the way of the dinosaur, but if I had to put money on one guy to do it this year its Stamkos. I think he will top last season’s ridiculous totals and next year his #1 overall ranking won’t even be a debate…

@Giacomo: I’m just not high on Defenseman in general which is why Weber didn’t make it.. And Parise is #31 on the list, for sure. I’m not so worried about his injury, but I’m just not sure where he fits in anymore with Kovy there. I could see him falling back to the level he was at from ’06-’08. As in 60-70 points with around 250 shots. But I agree the potential is there to be Top 15 or even Top 10.

Shea Weber top 10, bitch please! I saw espn had Big Buf in Winnipeg ranked like 4th overall or some bullshit, what a joke. I like your top 10, for some reason all the rankings I see besides Razzball look like the were assembled by a little kid listing his favorite players. I want your opinion on this: I get two keepers in my league, the first one is St. Louis in the third round. My second will be Corey Crawford, Couture, or Graber in the 15th round. Or my boy Chris Stewart in the sixth. What to do…..

stamkos at #1? nah. he started off crazy last year but lost steam when you needed him most. ovy is playing in a more defensive system now and i think the team does not enjoy playing for budreau. (couldnt be a TOTAL coincidence that all the studs on WASH. had down years). d. sedin is as consistent as they come but is not sexy as a #1 pick. so it goes to C. Perry!! sid and geno have injury concerns now so they are high-risk high-reward. hate those kind of players since you never know when you might lose them. if you had a solid team Perry pretty much single-handedly won you the title. throw in his pims, ppp, shp and the fact he hasnt even reached his prime and lost a chunk of getlaf’s help last year and…..yea top pick.

@theearly90s: Yeah Buf fell off a cliff in the 2nd half last year, but I still got him as (i think) my 3rd overall Defenseman.. St. Louis in Round 3 is nice. And I see your dilemma after that. What round are Crawford and Couture?

@Navi: Hey like I said in the rankings you take CP 1st overall I wouldn’t blame you. Its just with his style of play, the risk of him breaking a finger or something stupid like that is alot higher than a Stamkos or Sedin.

@DC you are right about that. and im sure his would be an injury of the severe nature. even though he seems to be quite durable considering his style.

i am not a fan of drafting D-men early. i feel there is too much value at the forward positions and people are seduced by names on the backend. i loved picking ryan whitney off waivers and seeing him put up tier 1 or 2 points. i actually draft ALL my dmen after my forwards.

Hey just wanted to chime in to let you know you have at least one more reader. I’ve been checking daily since Razzpuck has been announced. I am so happy to finally have a decent fantasy hockey site. That said I can’t see taking Sid at 6. Not only is he not over his symptoms, but one hit could easily end his season. Usually once a guy gets concussed the next ones come easier too. Too much risk for me.

Very nice!!! I’m thinking with Basketball taking the year off, fantasy hockey should get thrust right back into the mix. I’m looking forward to reading what you have to say….
I’m sorry if I missed it, but how bout giving us a little background about yourself. You don’t need to write a freakin’ book like some other narcissist I know…. *cough*… Grey *cough* Albright… (haha) just a little info so we can get to know you.

P.S. Those idiots on that show are stoked because with their cars now paid off, that means more money to go straight up their noses!!!

@longbeachyo: Yeah the NBA is looking at a major overhaul ala the NHL in ’05. Wouldn’t be shocked if they didn’t even play this year…

And I’m just a typical schlub living the American dream. I live in Southern California and I’ve got a wife, a job, and a kid. If you’re looking for more, I enjoy walks on the beach, candle light dinners, and someone who appreciates me for who I am